Are you taking a medication that could be leaching magnesium out of your body? Prescribers don’t always think to warn people of that possible side effect. When magnesium drops too low, the consequence can be horrible muscle cramps, among other things.

Does Low Magnesium Lead to Horrible Muscle Cramps?

Q. My mom had been suffering dreadful leg cramps at night and couldn’t find relief. I happened to hear your discussion about using magnesium for cramps related to certain drugs. We checked out the information.

It turns out she was on a few of the medications that leach magnesium. She started taking magnesium supplements and my dad even talked to his doctor about his chest cramps. Neither has had a bad episode of cramping keeping them awake for a few weeks now. Thank you.

Drugs That Can Lead to Magnesium Depletion:

A. Magnesium is one of those minerals that doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. Diuretics found in many blood pressure medications can deplete magnesium. Watch for medications such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide (Lasix).

Acid-suppressing drugs like esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) can also interfere with magnesium absorption and result in low magnesium levels.

When magnesium drops into the danger zone, horrible muscle cramps are not the only complication. Irregular heart rhythms that can result from such a deficit could be fatal. Adequate magnesium levels are also critical for healthy bones and normal carbohydrate metabolism

Downsides of Magnesium:

Sometimes when people like your parents start taking magnesium supplements, they take too high a dose. That can lead to diarrhea, which could be disconcerting if you don’t know the cause.

Magnesium supplements should not be taken by anyone with kidney disease. Too much magnesium could overwhelm an already-stressed organ.

11 Thoughts Shared

Patty

Sc

January 18, 2017 at 2:19 am

I have a question about Tonsillectomy. I had the surgery n yes worst pain ever but it’s been 2 months 21days since my Tonsillectomy. I’m having issues I believe is scar tissue. My Dr said all looks good n he said I have some scar tissue but he didn’t really give me any hope n I left there very upset n no real answers other than but I’m having issues with lump and dryness is the back of my throat. I just want to know if this will ever go away. I’ve read that seeing a speech pathology could help me but I’m not sure if that’s true or not. Anyone has any information please let me know. I’m 52 n I’m hoping this will go away.

Janice

27215

December 28, 2016 at 5:31 pm

I have had the terrible leg cramps after taking the stomach meds for years. Also, at times a new doctor will mention a heart murmur where as most of the time they do not. So I think there might be some truth in the depletion of magnesium by these stomach medicine. I also felt that increasing my magnesium did improve my mood and I felt less depressed in the winter time.

Rita

Dallas, TX United States

December 28, 2016 at 3:42 pm

I’m 76. I often have muscle cramps in feet during some exercise; especially yoga. I’ve been treated for heart arrhythmia (ablation) and now take 25mg beta blocker twice a day. Magnesium has been suggested BUT WHICH MAGNESIUM? Oxide, Glycinate, etc.? And how much?

Wayne

December 28, 2016 at 3:15 am

The answer to thje question Will Magnesium Prevent Horrible Muscle Cramps? is sometimes. It might make cramps worse if there was no deficiency, sometimes a balanced calcium + magnesium has worked better, sometimes neither works. Calcium alone might be tried.

clearwater fl

December 27, 2016 at 11:42 am

Beth

Williamsville NY

December 27, 2016 at 9:56 am

I have mitral valve prolapse, diagnosed many years ago. It occasionally causes palpitations, but infrequent. A few years ago, i was waking up during the night with palpitations, and this occurred 3 or 4 nights in a row. Concerned, I researched palpitations and found that low magnesium could be a cause. Food products with magnesium were not in my daily diet, so i immediately started with a 250 daily dose. Within two days, no more palps and I now take it every night before bed.

Beth

SC

December 27, 2016 at 9:41 am

Debra

San Antonio, TX

December 27, 2016 at 9:25 am

I will say I was getting horrible leg and feet cramps mostly at night. I’ve had these since I was a child. I spoke to my doctor about this and he recommended CoQ10. It made such a difference I no longer wake with leg and food cramps.

Dallee

December 27, 2016 at 8:17 am

Carmel

Ny

December 27, 2016 at 6:18 am

I had horrible cramps in my legs,I have been drinking several glasses of tonic water for the past 3 or 4weeks and surprisingly the cramping has subsided,at least now I can sleep the night. Has something to do with the quinine in the tonic , not bad tasting with lime.

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